Daniel Thomas’ injury could force either Steve Slaton or Lex Hilliard into key role

(Update: The injury report released Friday evening had Thomas, Misi and Davis all questionable. For the Chargers, D-lineman Luis Castillo is out, TE Antonio Gates and CB Quentin Jammer are doubtful and WRs Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson questionable.)

Daniel Thomas’ absence from practice Friday due to a hamstring problem could present something of a conundrum for coach Tony Sparano and his staff. If Thomas can’t go, Sparano has only two options to play alongside Reggie Bush at running back. Does he turn to newly acquired Steve Slaton, who has been around all of two practices, or Lex Hilliard, who has only 26 carries in three Dolphins seasons?

Sparano took a “we’ll see” attitude on Slaton, but Slaton sounded as if he’s ready to give it a go.

“This week for me was game-planning for this game and not learning the whole playbook,” he said. “That was easier. Going into the bye week I’ll have time to learn more.”

Asked what he expects, Slaton replied, “Just to be prepared. Study as much as I can and remember as much as I can for this weekend.”

Hilliard has been around long enough not to expect much. He’s never had more than five carries in a game, though he had a memorable role as a fill-in for the injured Ricky Williams against Carolina back in 2009, when he had four carries for 24 yards and two catches for another seven.

“I’ll do whatever is asked of me,” he said Friday.

One of Hilliard’s roles the past two years has been to back up fullback Lousaka Polite. With Polite gone, he might have been expected to take over that role, and he has been called upon a couple of times in short-yardage situations, picking up five yards on three carries. Other than that, his role has been restricted to special teams.

So is he frustrated? “You can’t be,” he said. “It’s a business. It’s as simple as that.”

Sparano said that Hilliard’s role has expanded, stating that he’s averaged 10 more plays than in the past, up to 32 from 22.

“He’s taken on a little bit of a fullback (role) and of course short yardage,” Sparano said. “He’s had to block; he’s caught the ball out of the backfield (once for 7 yards) as a fullback yet carried it as a halfback. Of course the special teams thing doesn’t change.

“That position has obviously taken on really three different people between (Charles) Clay, Jeron Mastrud and then Lex.”